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Our Team Louis J. Rizzo

Louis J. Rizzo, Jr. serves as the firm’s Managing Partner and has extensive experience in all areas of civil litigation, with notable expertise in complex commercial litigation. A veteran of more than 60 jury trials, he represents large public insurance companies, national, regional, and local construction companies and developers, and regional and local businesses in various industries, including hospitality and manufacturing.

Lou has represented trade creditors, equipment lessors, insurance companies, service providers, and contractors in bankruptcy proceedings. He frequently handles preference actions, adversary proceedings, receiverships, dissolutions, and fraudulent conveyance matters in bankruptcy court. He often serves as local counsel in Delaware state and federal courts and the Delaware Bankruptcy Court in matters of national import.

Recent accomplishments:

  • Successfully litigated a catastrophic loss insurance claim for a builder and developer involving multiple properties destroyed by a tornado.
  • Represented a national insurance carrier before the Delaware Supreme Court in an appeal involving opioid mass tort coverage, resulting in a decision that set a precedent for coverage for state attorney general claims against opioid suppliers (Ace American Insurance Company et al. v. Rite Aid Corporation).
  • Represented an insurer in the 23-day trial concerning confirmation of the bankruptcy Plan of Reorganization of the Boy Scouts of America.
  •  Litigated a dispute in Delaware Chancery Court between majority and minority stakeholders of a closely held Bitcoin mining company over management and control of the company.

Throughout Lou’s distinguished career, there are few aspects of civil litigation he hasn’t encountered. He handles many matters:

  • Breach of contract
  • Business litigation
  • Complex commercial litigation
  • Construction site and defect claims
  • Crisis management
  • Franchise representation
  • High-stakes litigation before the Delaware Court of Chancery
  • Insurance coverage and bad faith
  • Premises and general liability
  • Products liability
  • Professional liability
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Transaction disputes

Lou has litigated civil disputes in the Delaware Superior Court, the Delaware Chancery Court, and multiple U.S. District Courts. He has handled appeals to the Delaware Supreme Court and the Third and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals.

When clients turn to Lou’s services, they receive effective, aggressive representation, a reliable assessment of the case, and a clear set of expectations about outcomes, costs, and timing.

Lou frequently draws from his passion for U.S. history by incorporating historic lessons into his trial presentations. Having grown up in the restaurant business, Lou enjoys cooking for his large family at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Project Magis Networking Event

Louis Rizzo, Harris Chernow and James Griffith, partners at the firm’s Philadelphia office, will be attending the Project Magis Fifth Annual Cocktail Reception in support of the developmental programs offered through Catholic…
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Villanova Law Alumni Association Day of Service

Louis Rizzo, partner at the firm’s Philadelphia office who has served on the board of nova alum association del. Chapter, attended the Association Day of Services along with fellow alumni and current…
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Cintas Corporation National Council Summit

Louis Rizzo, partner at the firm’s Philadelphia office, attended the invitation-only National Council Summit at Cintas Corporations’ Headquarters in Mason, Ohio on October 4th and 5th. The summit featured discussions of litigation…
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Externship Program

Louis Rizzo and Harris Chernow, partners at the firm’s Philadelphia office, will be presenting at the American University Washington School of College in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
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Villanova Law Alumni Summer Social

Louis Rizzo, partner at the firm’s Philadelphia office who has served on the board of nova alum association del. Chapter, attended the Alumni Summer Social with fellow alumni and current students to…
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Defense Counsel of Delaware Summer Happy Hour

Louis Rizzo, partner at the firm’s Philadelphia office and member of the Defense Counsel Board, attended the Defense Counsel Summer Happy Hour on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at The Chancery Market Food…
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Truth is Stranger Than (“Pulp”) Fiction

With a fact pattern right out of the Terrantino cult classic film “Pulp Fiction”, Moncrief v. Nationwide involved a creative attempt by a plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyer to establish insurance coverage for the criminal…
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Insurance Bad Faith: A Compendium of State Law

Louis J. Rizzo, Reger Rizzo & Darnall’s Managing Partner and Chair of our Litigation and Insurance Practices Group, is a contributing editor to The Defense Research Institute (DRI)’s Insurance Bad Faith: A Compendium of State Law.…
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  • Distinguished Service Award from the Defense Counsel of Delaware (2011)
  • Distinguished Service Award from the Defense Research Institute (DRI) (2006)
  • Delaware Bar Association
  • Maryland Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Counsel of Delaware, current Board Member; past President
  • DRI, past State Representative
  • Villanova Law Alumni Association Board – Delaware Chapter